New Owner - Good Old Boat

[DFletcher2]

I am a new owner of a very good old boat, a 1983 Hinckley SW 59 masthead sloop. She lays in Bristol Bay, RI now and my youngest son, my wife and I will be there the third week of July for some day sails and an overnighter or two. Actually, she is on the hard right now getting some needed maintenance done (brightwork (over 600 hrs. right now, if you can believe that), new heads, new SMC latex mattresses, resetting deadlights and gaskets for portlights, diesel maintenance (Perkins 6.3544M), sump pumps, new holding tank, some rigging work, and a long list of other miscellaneous stuff. I am figuring out a new dinghy (good help on this forum) and davits for her. Then she goes back in the water to be ready for us. I had an owner's sea trial in April and have not seen her since. I retire at the end of August and will spend September and October aboard with a cruise to Maine in the initial plan. I have a great deal of learning this boat and her systems ahead of me and thought that this would be a good way to do it. I have a knowledgeable longtime Hinckley captain, Jim W., that will be assisting me in September
I have read this forum off and on and been impressed. I thought I would join to learn and to share experiences, and to make new friends.

[angelfish2]

Hi DFletcher2 and welcome to this community. You do indeed, have a very good old boat! Hinckley's are beautiful and I'm sure you will enjoy her.

[DFletcher2]

I am not sure who owns whom. It seems more about good stewardship than ownership with a boat like this. Thanks.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Good to have you here. Got photos of your prize?

[Orion Jim]

Welcome. You have a boat most people dream about. I retired a year ago, you'll love it. Good luck.

[Scott Berg]

Welcome aboard; I've delivered a few of those; they sail very well and nothing looks better on a mooring... nice choice

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, DFletcher.

[canvasman]

It's called Bristol Harbor around here. Best of luck with a fine yacht.

[Prairie Chicken]

Congrats on both the new boat & retirement! I suspect you'll require one to appreciate the other ...

Welcome to the crew here.

[DFletcher2]

I have added pictures to my album. Thanks for the welcome. Yes, I am having fun with her. WE are in California until my youngest son graduates from high school and heads off to University of Hawaii. Then we depart for the Mary Sunshine in Rhode Island and summer sailing fun.

[DFletcher2]

I had never even been to Rhode Island prior to my sea trial in Narragansett Bay last April. I had the pleasure of spending two months aboard in SEP-OCT and have gotten to know the area a bit more. Beautiful, historic, great sailing waters and now, good friends.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Howdy and Welcome!

Such a nice boat to enjoy in the years to come. I imagine it will bring you pleasure and satisfaction whether sailing or anchored in some nice spot on the Maine coast.

I looked at the photos in your album. She looks beautiful even at the dock. Such nice lines at that size. Very pretty.

Fair winds to Y'all!